Coyote Makes Unprecedented Swim to Notorious Alcatraz Island
A coyote has captured public attention by accomplishing a feat never before documented: swimming across the treacherous waters of San Francisco Bay to reach the infamous Alcatraz Island. The remarkable journey, which spans approximately 1.25 miles from the mainland, was captured on video by a tourist and has left wildlife experts and observers astonished.
Historic First for the Former Prison Island
This coyote is believed to be the first ever to reach Alcatraz, now a popular tourist attraction, by swimming. The animal braved the cold, rough currents that historically contributed to the island's reputation as an inescapable maximum-security prison. Aidan Moore of Alcatraz City Cruises shared clips of the video on his Facebook account on 11 January, describing it as "the most exciting thing to happen here in ages!"
Moore later told the news outlet SFGate that he received the videos from a tourist who approached him while he was at work. The footage shows the coyote swimming determinedly toward Alcatraz, bobbing its head above the water, before eventually emerging onto the island's rocky shore. In the background, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge looms, adding to the dramatic scene.
Expert Insights into the Coyote's Motivation
While the exact reason for the swim remains uncertain, experts suggest the coyote likely originated from San Francisco or nearby islands where coyote populations have been observed. Janet Kessler, a self-taught naturalist who has documented local coyote behavior for two decades, told San Francisco's CBS affiliate that the animal may have been seeking new territory due to interspecies population pressure.
"This one was probably pushed around by other territorial owners and decided that he could make this trip," Kessler explained, noting that coyotes have been present in and around San Francisco for generations. "So, he attempted it, and he made it."
The Coyote's Condition and Survival Prospects
Both Moore and Kessler remarked on the coyote's visibly worn state after the arduous swim. "He didn't look like he was in very good condition, which I'm not surprised by given the harrowing experience," Moore told SFGate. Kessler added to CBS: "He can barely make it. He's depleted. He is shivering. He is cold."
Despite its bedraggled appearance, Kessler noted that the coyote had resources on Alcatraz to survive, including banana slugs, mice, rats, birds, and puddles of rainwater. "They are survivalists," she said of coyotes in general. "That's why they continue to expand."
Response from Authorities and Unclear Fate
Moore reported the sighting to rangers at Alcatraz, which is under the jurisdiction of the US National Park Service. However, by the time rangers searched for the coyote, it had disappeared, leaving its fate unclear. A spokesperson for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which oversees Alcatraz, confirmed the authenticity of the sighting but could not elaborate on what motivated the coyote's journey.
Alcatraz: From Prison to Tourist Destination
The federal government shut down the maximum-security prison on Alcatraz in 1963 after nearly 30 years of operation. Some of its most infamous inmates included mob boss Al Capone, bootlegger George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger. The island's frigid, rough waters contributed to its reputation as virtually inescapable.
Today, Alcatraz has been reopened as a public museum, attracting more than 1 million visitors annually. This coyote's unprecedented swim adds a new chapter to the island's storied history, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of urban wildlife.
